July 11: Presto inspires Titans; Cam wins 300th; Cliffy joins 300 Club
On this day, the first-ever NSW v Queensland clash, the last-ever Fibros v Silvertails meeting and Preston Campbell inspires the Titans to a memorable win.
1908
More than seven decades before the birth of Origin, the first ever rugby league meeting between New South Wales and Queensland takes place at the Agricultural Ground. A near-Test strength NSW coasts to a 43-0 win as referee Fred Henlen loses track of time and lets the first half run for 53 minutes.
1974
Adelaide Rams record-holder Graham Appo is born on the Gold Coast. The future PNG winger played four seasons for the Raiders before moving to the Rams to set club records for the most tries (three), goals (eight) and points (24) in a match. He then played a season each at the Roosters and Cowboys before moving to the Super League.
1994
Future Samoa international and Maroons, Raiders, Broncos and Knights playmaker Anthony Milford is born in Brisbane.
1996
The Australian Rugby League declare 16-year-old centre Josh Hannay ineligible to play for North Queensland against Western Suburbs because he is too young under league rules.
1997
Australia beats the Rest of the World 28-8 in a high-quality game at Suncorp Stadium.
1999
Long-time rivals Manly and Western Suburbs meet for the last time as stand-alone entities. The Sea Eagles celebrate Cliff Lyons' milestone of 300 first-grade games for the club.
2008
Preston Campbell guides a depleted Gold Coast Titans side to a 32-28 victory over the Sydney Roosters in a performance rated as the finest in the club’s two seasons in the NRL
2011
North Queensland recruit Cory Paterson achieves an unusual slice of history when he scores the match-winning try against Newcastle, the club he left midway through the season after being told he was unwanted by incoming coach Wayne Bennett in 2012. Having scored for the Knights against the Cowboys in round two, Paterson becomes the first player to score a try for and against two clubs in the one season.
2012
The Sydney Roosters honour club greats Ray Stehr, Dick Dunn, Ron Coote and Kevin Hastings with induction into the club’s Hall of Fame.
2018
New South Wales fall short of a State of Origin series whitewash despite a monumental defensive effort at Suncorp Stadium. Queensland send fullback Billy Slater out on a fitting note after an 18-12 victory. Slater is later named man of the match and is controversially awarded the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series.
The decision sparks protest after Slater plays only two of the three games and Queensland are beaten in the series.
2020
Melbourne captain Cameron Smith notches the 300th win of his NRL career as the Storm down Canberra 20-14 at GIO Stadium.
2020
From Forbes, to Flegg, to four on debut
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
